ANY TIPS?

[KW]

My bride and I are starting to plan our first long distance bike excursion.  We’re heading ‘west’ with the only ‘firm’ plan of going through South Dakota (Black Hills area - not during bike week.)  We ‘may’ go all the way to AZ to see the Grand Canyon. I have a cousin in Kansas we would like to stop at and my wife has one in Durango, Colorado who we like (If we make it there, we’ll be going on to AZ.)

So, does anyone have any helpful tips on preparation and/or suggestions on what we should pack? Long ride tips? I've done two Iron Butts and several overnight trips, so we're not completely ignorant of the demands of riding a long 'trail’, but I’m thinking a 2 or 3 week ride will have some unforeseen challenges, eh? I’m going to be pulling a trailer, so space really isn’t an issue, but I would like to keep the load as light as possible. Having the trailer will allow me to bring a few more tools though. . . . .  and some extra duck tape.

Thanks~
Jerry

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Timing is everything....Time it so you enter northern Michigan during the last week of July....See you at InZane 

[Oss]

+1 what Joe said for the trip home.

You will probably have some hot and cold weather the same day and even rain.

This can be very enjoyable or not depending a great deal on your dispositions.

Are you gonna be camping or moteling?

We pack one bag each for a week or more trip using the trailer, She has one bag and 80% of mine (for shoes and boots and hair products) but its all good cause she is with me.

With a trailer you have the ability to bring extra helmets ( I usually wear a full face but carry the shorty) and bringing food and drinks (lots of water to stay hydrated).

How long will your wife be happy in the saddle each day? Mine puts talking books on her ipod and that extends her happy distance some.  

Some days you may ride an hour or less some 5 hours or more.  You will probably kick your self if you dont ride 550 from Montrose to Durango, a ride worth going in both directions when the time comes.

If you go to the Canyon take 89 A south to Sedona. The 50 miles before Sedona is a world class road that you will never forget the red rocks.  A side trip to Jerome is also fun.  We were down there the 1st wwek of October and the temps were perfect, not too hot during the day like in July and crowds were less. but you must be aware of the possibility of snow in the rockies at that time
Let the wife takes lots of pics and movies of the rides.

Travelling with ones spouse can be a great experience, hope you have one

[..]

Make two piles. One of clothing the other of the money you think you will need.

Take away half the clothes and double the money.

Go ride.

Keep off the Interstate system and go see the real America on back roads.

[R J]

My youngest daughter and I hit all the lower 48 states in 2 trips.  We used the Mississipi River as the divider.    New England states are very informative and looks of things to look at.

We never did carry an agenda, or have a Motel reservation.  We shopped for a Motel when we stopped for supper.   Asked the waitress if any recommendations, usually got some very good mom & pop's for 1/2 the going price.   Those out of the way one's ya never see otherwise.

That way you can stop and look at things you find on the road.   Ya see something you'd like to see, STOP, you willl regret it later if ya don't.

When it was lunch time, or supper time, we looked for a eatin joint with a lot of trucks around.   Won't find BAD food there.

Be sure and have lots of water each day, we stopped at Wal-Mart and got those little bottles, think it was a 24 unit carton for a little of nothing.   Gas up in the morning as then the gas has not expanded in the heat.  Saves ya $$$$$.

Wake up of a morning and look at the weather channel.  Rain or storms ahead, alter you route that day.

To keep from having to do a rear tire replacement on the trip, go Darkside now so you will be used to it before ya leave.

Repairs, shouldn't have any if you do the proper maintenance on the bike at all times.     These suckers are bullet-proof.     242K + change, and MGM never failed me on the road.     Had a battery go dead once, but Auto Zone had a battery and loaned me the tools to change it out.   Tools in my book outside of side cutters, pliers and a small crescent wrench or a set of ratchet wrench's in Metric, is a waste of space and added weight.

Pulling a trailer, you will suffer in the Gas mileage dept, especially if ya get up in the high 3k band.

Travel 2 laners if at all possible, I-States are not too safe with all the truckers.  Half of them can't see ya..  If you encounter one, blow by, get out in front so he can see ya......

Happy Trails partner.

[hotglue #43]

Ditto what RJ sez.....
  FB and I have traveled quite a bit....  7 states left for all lower 48 .... the 3rd time.....
We don't take a trailer, and have made 6 week trips.
What we pack:
Wear a pair of jeans... take a pair
couple short sleeve tees
at least 3 long sleeve tees....protection from hot and cold
1 long sleeve denim shirt
1 pair of short pants..... long story about this
flip flops
shave kit

Traveling west and into mountains, you will want leathers / warm clothes and rain gear.  These go in the trunk.... or ya can put them in a bag on back....

I get one saddlebag...FB gets the other... I carry tools on my side... gives her more room for the Black and Decker makeup kit

You can get 2 to 3 days per pair of jeans.... fresh shirt each day.....

About once every 5 or 6 days, when ya stop at night... wash ALL yer clothes... and yer good for another week or so.

The reason for the shorts!!!!!!!!!  Ya need something to wear while ALL of the rest of yer clothes are being washed..... seems the laundramat folks take a dim view of folks waiting..wrapped in a towel.... while their clothes are being washed ....
You will find ya won't use everything ya take.....
and don't worry about making a fashion statement......when yer traveling.... you will probably NEVER see those folks again!!!  so it just doesn't matter...LOL

Now.. FB is on her own bike and can carry her own stuff!!!!!!  MAN... I have tons of space!!!!LOL   

I have not gone Dark Side.... and We almost ALWAYS need a rear tire change on a trip......

Most important!!!! STAY HYDRATED!!!!!!  If ya don't have ta pee at every gas stop.... yer not drinking enough water!!!!!!!!!!!  Ya can dehydrate in a heartbeat in the heat!!!!!!!!!!Very dangerous!!!!

[flamingobabe #44]

Keep a journal...every night write what you did...where you went....things that happened....take lots of pics...do not delete pics until you see them on a computer...(sometimes what doesn't look good on a camera...looks really cool on the computer)....

I agree with RJ and HG...hydrate...I always make us drink about every 20 minutes, always wear long sleeves....in really hot heat...I'll go to the restroom and soak my long sleeve shirt in the sink...it will save you....Des has some neck thing you put ice in and that would work.....Des speak up......

Girl stuff....keep your skin hydrated...use moisturizer and sun screen every day...most make-up base have a 15SPF...wear it...KISS - keep it simple....you will wash clothes every 3 - 5 days that's all the clothes you need....you will want to buy somethings along the way....ship it!!!! Hell I bought a wine table and 2 chairs once.....
Stop and look at everything you want...GPS are good...but stop and get a state map and find the cool out of the way places

 

[art]

I did a trip from Az. to Or in 04 with my wife while pulling a cargo trailer. Had rain snow hail an sunshine .Ran out of gas in Utah out in the middle of nowhere.I had a two gallon can of gas with me .So if you have the room do carry some gas it's better than calling AAA















u

[fudgie]

We take old throw away clothes when we go. Wear'm a day or 2 and chuck'm. Mostly clothes with holes and stains. We start collecting when we come home.
Baby wipes are good to help take the 'road' off of you at stops.
Extra fuel, esp out in the Plains.
Handgun. Even if you cant 'carry' it in some States, you can at least transport it thru them.
Rest stops are free. Find a nice dark spot and lay out the matress. Check the weather to make sure its not gonna rain so you dont have to sleep next to the restrooms. 

[bigdog99]

3 weeks, plenty of time.
take your wife to Glacier Natl park. then head west to Winthrop Washington, from there its the Northern Cascade Mts to Seattle. From Seattle you can do AZ. then you can do CO and KS on the way home.
made it to Zion national park from Washington, then back the similar way. 14 days, 12 states 5600 miles. Cascades were not even on the plan. i would go back again just to sit on "my" rock. i named it glaring at the trees. the orchards are well worth the trip also.
Phenominal.
Wish i could go with ya!

[highcountry]

If you are going to Durango on the way out, take US 50 over Monarch Pass through Gunnison to Montrose.  Then pick up 550 in Montrose to Silverton then to Durango.  Take a day trip to Mesa Verde NP west of Durango on hwy 160.  You will have seen some of the best of Colorado going that way.

Enjoy!

[Black Pearl's Captain]

Black hills to Devils tower to buffalo wyoming to sheridan to dayton (must do this route across the big horns) to greybull to cody to yellowstone to jackson hole to lander wy. (the sinks canyon state park) to indepedence rock wy. (look it up) to green river wy. south on along flaming gorge to vernal utah to green river utah via utah east 45 miles to pickup scenic 128 to moab go to arches n.p. go to dead horse point and look over canyonlands go south to bluff west to mexican hat while there go 10 miles north to moki dugway turnaround go back to mexican hat go  southwest towards monument valley to the forrest gump roadside point go back to mexican hat go to cortez co. via bluff aneth and four corners.

on the second day......go to mesa verde n.p. to durango then be sure to ride to silverton via million dollar highway.

so many places to ride in colorado.

hope this helps.

skip arizona see the grand canyon when you go to vegas someday. not much to do at grand canyon, most look and leave in a half day.

RIDE FAST ACROSS KANSAS  to arkansas or missouri. good road across missouri is go to branson and go east on 160.

ok too many options across mo. and ark.

enjoy the trip. skip kansas!

Raymond

[Razkal]

Stop at local visiter centers they know the area and are there to help you find the things you don't find on the maps. If you decide to head to Oregon or Washington give us a shout and we will be glad to share our knowledge.


Razkal & Ladyh

[9Ball]

If you are going to Durango on the way out, take US 50 over Monarch Pass through Gunnison to Montrose.  Then pick up 550 in Montrose to Silverton then to Durango.  Take a day trip to Mesa Verde NP west of Durango on hwy 160.  You will have seen some of the best of Colorado going that way.

Enjoy!

Great advice.  This was always my favorite part of living and riding in Colorado.  I miss having that in my backyard (OK, 300 miles from my backyard).

[KW]

Thanks for the great tips guys. There are some I definitely hadn’t thought of, so I really appreciate it. . 

As far as hitting Colorado and Durango, we're almost for certain going to. I’ve been aware of some of the roads because my bride's cousin (they grew up together) has been trying to get us to come out for some time. He’s a great guy and has had an interesting path in life. He started out as a professional skier (whatever that is) and even had a small part in the movie ‘Avalanche’ from the 70’s. (He’s the skier going down the hill that gets covered by the avalanche. They used his scene in the promotion of the film.) Now the guy owns a brush clearing / fire break business. Apparently he takes care of many of the rich Hollywood types that have houses in the mountains. Anyway, he’s loaded and has a big house. So, we’ll have at least one of two nights with no hotel bill 

Now if I could only talk him into getting a Valkyrie. . .   

[olddog1946]

Make two piles. One of clothing the other of the money you think you will need.

Take away half the clothes and double the money.

Go ride.

Keep off the Interstate system and go see the real America on back roads.

Good advice there Britman

[bigdog99]

if you go to Devil's tower, dont forget Alladin WY.
Right fudgie?

[fudgie]

if you go to Devil's tower, dont forget Alladin WY.
Right fudgie?

Yep. 

[bigdog99]

WOW
you got all of it in the picture.